How to Survive a Heat Wave in Style

July 14, 2011 By Joe| Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Here's why.

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Is it fall yet? Despite there seemingly being sundress clad woman on every corner, summer has gotten old for many of us in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s hot enough that on the East Coast, 50,000 “broiler chickens” jumped the mortal gun and met their heat based demise earlier than expected. It’s hot as an oven, but that doesn’t mean you have to sweat it out in rags. Here’s a few suggestions on how to, y’know… keep it cool. Top Photo Credit.

When it’s not just hot, but really hot, even an all cotton chino suit will feel heavy. Okay, any suit is going to feel heavy. Still, stick to seersucker or linen. Those fabrics feel lighter. The Bonobos Seersucker is incredibly light, plenty airy, but doesn’t feel flimsy or chintzy. Full review here. J. Crew’s linen suit is actually somewhat affordable (by their standards) and will be much more comfortable than chino. *You’ll need to sign up an email as a new customer for $50 off and thus, the $236 price via Bonobos. Also, the Bonobos option just went on sale. Down from $360.

The INC Ultra Lights have all but disappeared from online (but seem to still exist in store?) These sportcoats from Kenneth Cole Reaction are the next best thing. The mini check is completely unlined just like the INC Ultra lights. If you are wearing a blazer, make sure it has as little lining/padding as possible.

Here’s how to do it: With your shirt cuff unbuttoned, flip the cuff back. Allowing your sleeve to turn inside out along the way, drag the cuff slowly up past your elbow until the now bottom seam of the cuff is in your elbow pit. Fold the extra 3-5 inches of exposed inside-out sleeve up to “lock in” the cuff. Ta-da. Instant short sleeve shirt.

Spendy for a polo, but Banana Republic’s Luxe Touch cotton is so smooth it’s almost a bit slippery. Almost feels cool to the touch. Not too fitted but not bulky either. Just enough space to get some air through there.

Boat shoes and canvas sneakers are tough to dress up. Suede penny loafers on the other hand look plenty dressed up when it’s hot, and can be dressed down with ease. Made in Italy by DSW’s house brand which has a more than good track record. (Wanna get nuts? They’ve got them in blue too.)

If you’re fair skinned and have hard water, you might have seen stains showing up on your white clothes around the neckline. That’s not ring around the collar. They’re rust stains caused by the most common sunscreens which all use similar chemicals. The alternative is a Titanium Dixoide based sunblock which goes on smooth and more or less sits on top of your skin (feels like it soaks in) Plus, it won’t turn into rust when washed in hard water.

Lose the Undershirt. No, really.

Hurts more than it helps.

There are plenty of undershirt addicts out there who feel weird wearing a dress shirt without an undershirt underneath. Here’s the problem with that. First, it’s another layer. And second, cotton doesn’t dry that fast. So when your thick, squishy undershirt gets sweat soaked, it’s going to stay that way for the rest of the day. You’ll sweat more because of it, and you’ll have pit stains no matter what. Lose the extra layer.

“I think… therefore I am.” How about, I’m sweating like a god*amned pig, therefore I am thinking about being in a cooler place? Like the North pole. In December. Throw a Christmas in July party. Might distract just enough.

Any other suggestions for looking decent but staying cool in the heat? Leave them all below…

Also disagree with the “no undershirt” line. At least for those of us whose blood is too thick for their surroundings, it is just not feasible to go without.

One suggestion I’d add is to carry an extra handkerchief to wipe your brow. For a guy who sweats in the least bit of heat, trust me when I say you should suck it up and admire the fact you are following in greater men’s steps (like your grandfather). The extra handkerchief has saved me more than once this summer. I won’t say that it’s a panacea, but it is certainly good for damage control.

FYI check out the price of those Mike Konos loafers in store first, I could have sworn I saw them on the clearance rack the last time I was there… Also, sweaty pit stains used to keep me from going without an undershirt, until I stopped using antiperspirants and started using regular deoderant and powder. I still may sweat a little bit, but I don’t have to worry about ugly yellow stains on the shirts.

I rarely wear them. Maybe 10 times a year. Certainly never in the summer.

To me, the undershirt is there to protect your… outershirt. Less contact with the body means you can clean your button-ups less often. And if you wear an aluminum-based antiperspirant, the undershirt will take the hit on pit stains.

But! An undershirt doesn’t help with ring-around-the-collar. I don’t sweat a ton from my pits (even in this 100 degree weather we’re having in Dallas) and I don’t wear an antiperspirant, so the pit-stain bit is not a concern for me. But I balance not wearing an undershirt by wearing my other shirts less often (which means owning enough to have a long rotation).

S/s linen shirt, trimmer fit. I picked one up from Zara on sale. It’s my go to fishing shirt when I’m out in 90+ heat here in Florida. Still humid as a beetch, but more bearable. Plus; you start catching fish, and you don’t mind the heat so much.

I used to never wear undershirts. I still wouldn’t if it was an option. Unfortunately my arm pits sweat a ton, so I needed a barrier (in the summer more than anytime). I go with a v-neck year round. It’s cooler and is a little more unique than a regular crew shirt, at least in my opinion.

Someone mentioned that they changed what deodorant they were using. I’ve also been thinking about switching to the clinical strength stuff after my stick runs out. Anyone tried a specific brand?

Also thanks for the tip about rolling up the sleeves. It never occurred to me that there was a better way to do it.

It takes some getting used to, but I haven’t worn an undershirt under button down/dress shirts in years. I was a full on believer that the undershirt did a solid job of preventing the wetness from soaking through. Only after I finally gave it a try (not wearing one) did I realize that the undershirt just held the sweat longer and made me more uncomfortable and damp. And thus, perspiration inertia takes over, and I’d be stuck all day with swampy pits.

To me, undershirts are in a way like chap stick. Sure there’s a great use for them from time to time. But habitual use, for many, is just that. A habit. And once you kick it, it can be a great switch.

one word re: pit stains: drysol. unfortunately for me, i overheat easily and its tough to cool down, especially on the metro in DC…I hate wearing undershirts as they feel constricting and raise my temp slightly, but I need that extra layer to buy me some time during my commute — otherwise i will be totally soaked. blue shirts are out of the question for me 🙁

I’m slightly embarrassed by the undershirts’ visible short sleeves when I wear broadcloth shirts. Been considering cutting off the sleeves of the undershirt–not sure how it would look though.

The alternative is buying thick twill, premium cotton $hirts… and that ain’t happening with regularity.

depending on your skin tone, try a light grey undershirt, if you gotta wear one. I’ve just switched to ocbd’s, and skip undershirts entirely now…i wasn’t worried about the sweatthrough, but more the nip-effect, and ocbd’s nip that problem.

My blood is a bit too thick for this weather, and I couldn’t agree more with the handkerchief bit. I’ve been carrying one since one of my professors recommended it in college – they’re useful for so many things. You’ll forget you have it on you until you need it, and then it’s so nice to have. It also beats wiping your hands on your nice clothes when there aren’t any paper towels around. Basically mandatory in Japan.

Nothing ruins an outfit like having your crew neck undershirt exposed behind an open collar. If you are going to go the open collar route, either skip the t-shirt or wear a v-neck. I can’t believe how many people make this hideous mistake. Ranks up there with triple pleat pants and square toe shoes.

I’m wearing a button-down poplin button-up from LEC today, sleeves rolled up Joe’s way (which I actually find to be pretty time consuming; I have to put the shirt on, pull the cuff up, then take it off for the rolling), and no undershirt (but I never wear them). Got that on with some white jeans and a pair of Sperrys and I am set for these hot Florida summers.

great suggestion, andrew…I’m considering getting off diet pepsi, and this might be a way to do it (in the last 6 months, I’ve quit a 20-beer-a-day habit cold turkey, and carbs w/ no problems…but diet pepsi??? aack!).

I definitely was all about those UA shirts at one point…their longer boxer briefs are awesome, too, in ultra-hot weather, or while exercising…especially if you’ve got a bit of flab that’ll chafe while walking more or running.

I’ve been hesitant to take the white jean plunge; not because I’m stylistically against it, but I’m just afraid they’re still going to be too warm (I’m also in FL). Did you find some lighter-weight ones, or just relying on the whiteness to keep you cooler?

I’m wearing the LEC slim fits in white. They’re not really lightweight, but the whiteness does help with the sun. Mostly I just think white jeans are fun and I like to toss in some light colors during the summer (though I wear them year-round). I have a few pairs and I find they’re more versatile than one would think.

Clearly, and I understand that, but hear me out here. Those in the collective mass aren’t asking you or any of us to wear the undershirt. Meanwhile, there’s also a stereotype about guys who spend a little more time thinking about they wear and how they present themselves (y’know, us). That stereotype is that those types (us) are snobs and judgmental of how others dress. And for a lot of us, that’s not true. So, calling anyone in the masses who shows a white crewneck a dork, doesn’t really help. I’m sure you didn’t actually mean anything by it, but… y’know?

Really? I’m not wearing normal Sperrys right now–these are canvas moccasins, but still look pretty boat shoe-y–but I’ve always liked the classic look of Sperrys. Still, I think other brands can look great too and considering how poorly Sperrys hold up (at least for me), they’re a good alternative.

One of the reasons to wear an undershirt is to avoid having sweat make its way to your outer shirt. If, like me, you use public transportation, then an undershirt is an absolute necessity during summer. It doesn’t have to be a heavy fabric, if you look around a little. I did just discover that Uniqlo now sells wicking undershirts for $6 each, same price as their older (non-wicking) undershirts. I bought one (I was in NYC over the weekend) and it did help somewhat.

Eerie. Definitely had the same thing on minus the button up yesterday, I had on this shirt http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/StripedCrewneckTee~211465_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::KQ1&CM_MERCH=IDX_Sale-_-Men-_-Tops. Clearly, I follow this blog too much.

La Croix is great. Kudos to you Andrew for that suggestion. Cheap too. Also, might want to consider making your own sweet water. Basically just cut up a bunch of lemons, limes, and cucumbers, throw them in a big pitcher of water and let it cool down in the fridge. It’s not all that “sweet” but, it tastes just different enough from regular water to sip on.

Why in the world are you taking the shirt off after you cuff it? No no no sir. The idea is to simplify. fold up the cuff, pull it up your arm, and then fold up the excess fabric to the desired length. That’s all. No need to take off the shirt at any stage. (Unless you’re three Negronis and a tango or two in.)

one thing to amend: Try driving with your window down. Me and a friend drove I-40 from OK to Barstow in long sleeves with the windows down (his AC was broke) and were fine. I still do it in 100+ weather and its fine until I come to a redlight. It helps me acclimate to the heat and build a tolerance to it. But on the jeans I agree 100%

I changed to Gillette Clinical after regular antiperspirants had stopped working for me. I like it much better. I don’t have to use as much product either, so it doesn’t leave any residue on my shirt. I haven’t tried any other “clinical” brands, but they all list the percentage of active ingredient on them…

Agree with this one. I’ve been using Gillette Clinical for a while now. Wore a Cotton/Linen suit with button-down (no undershirt) and tie when we had a hot evening here a few weeks back and that stuff kept my shirt pretty fresh. Definitely recommend.

I’d rather see their undershirt than their nipples, that’s what really puts me off. If you’re wearing a shirt that’s thin enough that it’s somewhat see through, do everyone else a favor and wear the undershirt.

Funny, I always wear undershirts in the summer, but not in the winter. Undershirts in the summer protect my outershirt from getting wet from sweating and hide my nipples from the rest of the world. I don’t wear undershirts in the winter because I sweat less and the layers I wear over my shirt hide my nipples.

Second day going “chest commando” and I have to concur w/ Ksnyyeueuehe. I’ll just have to roll v-neck b/c I am a relatively heavy sweater and I have to wear a suit most days to work. Outside of work I could live w/out, though.

Quitting undershirts is hard for me, but not for the mentioned reasons. I don’t honestly care that much about figurative pit stains… I care much more about literal pit stains. You know, the stains left on your shirt from the nasty combination of deodorant residue and sweat, stains that seem to get worse, not better, in the wash. I ruined a lot of nice shirts that way before I finally started using undershirts full time. Now I just go through a couple packs of undershirts a year, and have some ready-made rags for cleaning/polishing/etc. I haven’t lost a “real” shirt to underarm stains since I started using undershirts.

As for chapstick, I am completely addicted to Burt’s Bees. My lips would probably die without it. But I only apply once, max twice, per day.

It’s an acquired taste, Adam. Think of the first time you drank coffee. The first time I tried Campari I was like, what the SHIT! But now I love it. Campari and soda with an orange twist is one of my favorite drinks in the world.

Great tips. Though yesterday and today were fairly mild here in D.C., we’re getting another brutal heat wave next week. I feel sorry for all the Hill staffers who still have to wear suits all summer, especially those who (through ignorance or poverty) still wear their “year-round” wool suits.

Another couple of additions:

– Talc-free body powder. A little on your feet, in your shorts, or on your back (wherever you sweat a lot) can keep you cool and dry a little longer.

– Though I wouldn’t normally suggest a product from Axe, they have a new hair styling cream that includes SPF 15, perfect for protecting your scalp with your short summer buzz when you aren’t wearing a hat. I don’t know if anyone else makes a similar product, but it is great as you can keep your hair looking in place while protecting your head.

– Witch hazel. It’s a natural astringent, and in addition to reducing inflammation of your blemishes, it can soothe poison ivy, sunburn, and razor burn. It’s a great item to have in your medicine cabinet during the summer.

I love that song. It is probably my most played Winter/Holiday song. The rest of the list is nice too though. I am interested in the soda, but online is my only option. La Croix sounds like a decent alternative and I know it is widely carried.

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